Cancer survivor Maureen Batty, 57, is just out of hospital but already has been told to get a job.

Mrs Batty, who just weeks ago was rushed to hospital when doctors thought her bladder might burst, has had her incapacity benefits stopped and been ordered to find work.

Barely able to leave her home in Beacon Lough, Gateshead, because of bladder problems, Mrs Batty is stuck on #12 a week until her appeal is heard.

"I can't believe they think I should be working," she said. "I was rushed into hospital the other day because they thought my bladder might burst and now I'm being told to go out and get a job.

"I've got a bag which is embarrassing and I've started feeling very uncomfortable in crowds.

"I've worked nearly all my life. Why would I give up a salary of #10,000 a year for benefits of #74 a week? I know they're cracking down on people on the sick but I feel I'm being told to work just to make the Government's figures better."

The grandmother-of-five, married to Jim, 63, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001.

Although she returned to work as social carer for Gateshead Council after her treatment, the job became too much and she was medically retired.

In January, despite still having four months left on a sick note from her GP, Mrs Batty was called to Arden House, in Gosforth, Newcastle, for assessment by a Department of Work and Pensions doctor.

A report noted all of Mrs Batty's medication, said she seemed tired and looked her age and said she frequently feels scared or panicky for no obvious reason.

But the report said as Mrs Batty had not scored the 15 points required to be deemed incapable of work in connection with the Personal Capability Assessment, she was not entitled to Incapacity Benefit.

Exasperated by the report, Mrs Batty, whose husband Jim is a Gateshead magistrate, said: "It's all numbers and box-ticking, this isn't about my health, it's about Government targets and I'm a victim."

The Department of Work and Pensions were unable to comment on her case, but said: "Most people on Incapacity Benefit or Income Support for any length of time will eventually get a Personal Capability Assessment. This is a test by a doctor which assesses a person's ability to perform a range of everyday work-related activities, and find out whether they are incapable of all work."